Idartes has launched 21 free creative writing workshops aimed at individuals aged 18 and above, offering both introductory and intermediate levels of training in literary reading and creative writing. The initiative, part of the “Escrituras de Bogotá” program, will run from October to December 2026, with each workshop lasting 30 hours spread over 10 sessions. Some sessions will take place in person while others will be conducted virtually. The workshops aim to promote literacy, writing, and oral expression as essential practices for cultural participation. They are supported by BibloRed, the Colombian Book Chamber, and the Colombian Association of Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters (ACTTI). Registration is open until August 31 through the platform Invitaciones Culturales, where participants can access detailed information about the workshops and their specific conditions. The workshops include three introductory-level courses designed for beginners interested in literature and writing, and 18 intermediate-level courses intended for those with prior experience seeking to enhance their creative, technical, and conceptual skills. Among the notable instructors are internationally recognized writers such as Chilean poet and translator Carlos Soto Román, Ecuadorian writer and researcher Cristina Burneo Salazar, and Colombian poets and educators including Fátima Vélez, María Paz Guerrero, and Yulieth Mora Garzón. Other contributors include editors, translators, and cultural managers such as Daniel Ángel, Amalia Satizábal, Natalia Silberleib, Luis Alberto Castillo, Sandra Restrepo, Laura Lucía Urrea, Paola Isabel Roa, Carolina Anfibia, and Puerto Rican writer Roque Raquel Salas. Additionally, the collective editorial Anteojos Ediciones and writer John William Archbold will also lead sessions. The workshops will be held in various locations throughout Bogotá, including artistic formation spaces operated by Idartes, public libraries under BibloRed, and university campuses such as the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Central, Universidad del Rosario, and Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano. The inclusion of both physical and online formats ensures accessibility for participants from different backgrounds and contexts. The program aims to strengthen access to literary education and encourage cultural engagement through diverse learning environments. In addition to the writing workshops, Idartes and the Secretariat of Social Integration have launched another initiative called Microcurso Activa el Arte: Jóvenes que crean, gestionan y transforman. This hybrid course runs for 24 hours, combining 12 virtual sessions, seven in-person meetings, and five independent study periods. It targets young people aged 18 to 28 in Bogotá who wish to develop their artistic and cultural management skills. The program provides practical tools for managing artistic projects and includes two key activities: one at the Youth Houses, where participants share initiatives, receive feedback, and build collaborative networks, and another during the Rock al Parque music festival, where they gain firsthand insight into large-scale event production, sustainability models, artistic curation, and environmental management strategies. Registration for this program is also open until August 31, with virtual sessions scheduled for September 14, 16, 21, and 22, and in-person sessions planned for October 3 at the Youth House and October 7 at Simón Bolívar Park. Participants will have the opportunity to observe and engage directly with the planning and execution of major cultural events in the city. Idartes encourages applicants to follow official channels for accurate registration procedures and updates.
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